Steve Kerr calls ESPN’s Draymond Green story ‘old news’

Updated 2:05 pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr pats Draymond Green on the back as Green heads to talk to the press before the Golden State Warriors practiced at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Monday, May 23, 2016. The Warriors will play the Oklahoma City City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday less

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr pats Draymond Green on the back as Green heads to talk to the press before the Golden State Warriors practiced at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Monday, May ... more

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, picks up the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler defends and Warriors guard Stephen Curry, front, heads downcourt in the first half of an NBA ... more

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Image 4 of 11

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 15: Kevin Durant (L) #35 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors react from the bench after teammate Stephen Curry hit a 3-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 15: Kevin Durant (L) #35 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors react from the bench after teammate Stephen Curry hit a 3-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers during

Golden State Warrior Draymond Green throws out the first pitch, as the San Francisco Giants prepare to take on the Chicago Cubs in game 4 of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park on Tuesday October, 11 2016, in San Francisco, California. less

Golden State Warrior Draymond Green throws out the first pitch, as the San Francisco Giants prepare to take on the Chicago Cubs in game 4 of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park on Tuesday October, ... more

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green talks with Patrick McCaw in 3rd quarter against Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green talks with Patrick McCaw in 3rd quarter against Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Image 11 of 11

Steve Kerr calls ESPN’s Draymond Green story ‘old news’

1 / 11

Back to Gallery

SAN DIEGO — The Warriors face a curious reality: Reporters swarm their practices and shootarounds, asking about stories that have already been written.

The latest example came Wednesday, after shootaround at UC San Diego, when head coach Steve Kerr addressed a lengthy ESPN piece published earlier that morning with the headline, “Golden State’s Draymond Green problem.” The story was an examination of the fiery Green’s complex role on perhaps the best team in NBA history.

The Warriors’ emotional leader, he has helped power their rise to prominence. But after a recent series of unflattering incidents, including a summer arrest on assault charges and a photo of his penis shared with his Snapchat followers, some question the toll Green’s antics could have on a potential dynasty.

In the ESPN article, written by Ethan Sherwood Strauss, an unnamed NBA team executive is quoted saying of Green: “He's what will ultimately prevent them from having long-term success.”

“It’s kind of old news for us,” Kerr said Wednesday of the ESPN story. “A lot of it is stuff that’s happened that’s already been covered. We’re the super villains now, so there’s going to be a lot more stories coming out.”

In the 16 months since it won the 2015 NBA title, Golden State has become a cultural phenomenon. More than 200 reporters flocked to its annual media day last month. Even when he doesn’t mention the Thunder, Kevin Durant’s quotes receive national attention as perceived shots at his former team.

Kerr has talked with his players about being aware of the microscope they’re under. Still, he is careful not to let the hype surrounding his team infringe on Golden State’s fun, relaxed environment.

The Warriors’ media policy, relatively open compared to that of many other professional sports teams, won’t change. It is the players’ responsibility to manage the outside scrutiny without sacrificing what makes them special.

“We’ve got a cast of thousands that cover our team,” Kerr said. “It comes with a territory. It’s always a little bit of a delicate balance.”

Said forward Andre Iguodala: “I think it’s key to have an awareness of it, but at the same time, being yourself. It’s hard to live life, I mean you wouldn’t know, but it’s hard to live life when you can’t be yourself. It’s kind of been like that for a long time for certain people, and we’ve adjusted to it.

“At the end of the day, just enjoy yourself and just enjoy the game of basketball. Because it can be fun.”

With two preseason games left, Golden State has seemed to have little trouble handling all the attention. It stopped in such cities as Vancouver, British Columbia, Las Vegas and San Diego with no major off-the-court hiccups. After practices finish, players have kept the focus on rest and preparing for the next game.

There is always time, of course, to catch up on the latest news.

“It was long,” Iguodala said when asked whether he read ESPN’s story on Green. “I got through like the first paragraph, then I just kind of scrolled, scrolled, scrolled. I got a couple tech articles I’ve got to read, so those come first.”

More minutes: Kerr said he plans to play his starters around 30 minutes in each of the Warriors’ final two preseason games, beginning Wednesday night against the Lakers. It is a change of course from the past few exhibitions, when the starters topped out at 25 or so minutes.

“It’d be nice to get them a few more minutes tonight,” Kerr said. “I won’t necessarily cut them off after mid-third quarter. I might space the minutes out more and have them finish the game.”

Cuts loom: Golden State has until Monday to trim its 18-man roster to 15 players. Cameron Jones, Phil Pressey and JaVale McGee are competing for the final roster spot, with McGee the clear front-runner. Elliot Williams, who has been sidelined all preseason with a right knee injury, is also in the mix.

“We haven’t made any decisions yet,” Kerr said, “but we’ll probably talk about it the next couple days.”

Speights’reaction: Center Marreese Speights, who spent three seasons with Golden State before signing with the Clippers in July, had a buzz-worthy quote in ESPN’s Green piece.

“Draymond f---ed up practice and s---," Speights said. “Draymond's a good guy, but I think at the end of the day, it hurt the whole chemistry of” last season.

Apparently displeased with how he was quoted, Speights took to Twitter on Wednesday to defend himself. “I don’t even talk like that,” he wrote before later tweeting, “If y’all believe that than (sic) ya’ll would believe McDonalds sell tacos!”

Injury update: Center Anderson Varejao, who was limited the past two practices with a shoulder contusion, participated in shootaround Wednesday. Kerr said he is not worried about the Brazilian big man’s playing status for the Lakers game because “we know what he can do.”

Latest from the SFGATE homepage:

Click below for the top news from around the Bay Area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.